The General Directory for Catechesis includes a preface of thirteen numbered sections. That’s before we get to the Introduction (GDC 14-33). Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, however. I’ve already mentioned that the Congregation for the Clergy was responsible for this document as well as its predecessor. Theologians and bishops were part of the consultative process. The CDF signed off too. A document like this does not get promulated without the approval of the pope.

Let’s read, then the comments are yours:

1. The Second Vatican Council prescribed that a “Directory for the catechetical instruction of the Christian people”(Christus Dominus 44) be drawn up. The Congregation for the Clergy, in execution of this conciliar mandate, availed itself of a special commission of experts, and consulted the various Episcopal Conferences, throughout the world, which made numerous suggestions and observations on the subject. The text prepared was revised by an ad hoc theological Commission and by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The General Catechetical Directory was definitively approved by Pope Paul VI on 18 March 1971 and promulgated on 11 April 1971.

about Todd Flowerday

A Roman Catholic lay person, married (since 1996), with one adopted child (since 2001). I serve in worship and spiritual life in a midwestern university parish.

about John Donaghy

John is a lay missionary since 2007 with a parish in western Honduras. Before that he served in campus ministry and social justice ministry in Iowa. His ministry blog is http://hermanojuancito.blogspot.com

He also blogs reflections on the lectionary and saints/heroes/events of the date at http://walktheway.wordpress.com

He'll be a long-term contributor here analyzing the Latin American bishops' document from their 2007 Aparecida Conference.